The Townsville City Council will carry out urgent repairs on the Horseshoe Bay boat ramp during suitable tides next week.

Council’s construction and maintenance unit is consulting local tourism operators on the timing of the works which will require the closure of the ramp for two days.

Damage caused by wave action has worsened in recent weeks, causing a section of the ramp to be undermined.

Council’s director of Infrastructure Services Neil Allen said the work had to be carried out as soon as possible because of the risk of further damage.

“We are aware that the timing is not the best with the start of the school holidays but the works will be carried out as quickly as possible to get the ramp up and operational,” Mr Allen said.

“Business owners who use the ramp are being consulted about the best time to do the works next week when low tides will be most suitable.”

The work is expected to take two days subject to weather and will involve core drilling and pumping stabilised sand into the undermined section of the ramp.